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Packing For a Big Backpacking Trip

Written by Susan Twitchell on . Posted in Stories.

What and how to pack for a big hiking trip like the West Coast Trail or other multi-day adventures  like the Rockwall or Cape Chignecto through uncertain weather is one of the most common, (and controversial!) topics out there.  Here at Get Outside we have backpacked thousands of kilometers and spent hundreds of nights out on the trail; so we’ve got some experience on the topic.

We’ve got a packing list, which is a great starting point. Below you'll find more information on the finer details of packing for longer backpacking adventures. If you are in need of some of the items on the list, check out our article on how to find cheap gear so you can be well prepared without breaking the bank.

"How do you pack for the West Coast Trail"?

Staying Dry

This is a key goal when hiking in wet conditions. You want to keep your sleeping bag and clothes as dry as you can.  This means at least two layers of protection from water, and critical items get an extra layer.

  • Waterproof Stuff Sack:

    The most critical items should have a dedicated layer of protection: put your sleeping bag and dry clothing in water resistant stuff sacks or compression sac.

  • Inner Liner

    Most people use a heavy duty garbage bag or a pack liner.  This keeps the inside of your pack dry, and can act as a barrier between dry items (clothing, sleeping bag), and wet items (wet tent, rain jacket).

  • Rain Cover

    Final layer of protection that keeps the bulk of the rain off your pack

This might seem like a lot, but there are few better feelings than being tucked in warm and dry while the rain pitter patters on your tent at night.

Tips for staying dry once you get to camp

When you set up your tent for the evening, how you handle your gear will change based on the weather.

  • If it’s raining or very humid, leave your sleeping bag and dry clothes tucked away in their waterproof stuff sacks until just before you get into them.  This will keep them dry and prevent them from soaking up moisture from the air.
  • If it’s sunny and dry out, then you can pull your sleeping bag out of it’s bag to let it dry out if the previous days have been damp.  Open up your tent fly and let the air circulate to dry everything out.  Don’t forget to close it back up before sunset when the dew will settle, or if the weather turns again.
  • In cold weather, be sure to use all the vents your tent has, because the colder the weather is, the more water vapour from your breath will condense on the inner walls of your tent and sleeping bag.

If your tent is damp in the morning when it’s time to pack it up vigorously shake it to knock off as much water as you can (a friend really helps here!). You can also consider packing a lightweight camp towel to soak up as much moisture as possible before packing away your tent. When putting a wet tent back in your bag leave it outside of the pack liner. This will prevent it from getting other items wet. 

Sleeping Bag: Down vs. Synthetic

This age-old debate has been around for years, and it’s not going away anytime soon.  Either style of bag can work, and here are the pros & cons of either:

  • Down

    It will offer the most warmth per kilogram and is the most compressible, but it comes with a cost.  Literally a higher price tag (about 2-3 times more expensive than synthetic) and lost insulation when it gets wet.

  • Synthetic

    will maintain more of its insulation when wet.  Although sleeping in a damp bag won’t ever be great, it will suck less in a synthetic bag,  and they can be found at a much lower price point.  Synthetic bags won’t compress down as much, taking up more real estate in your backpack and will weigh more than an equivalent down bag.

Both bags have merits and downsides.  Ask yourself some of these questions to see what bag is right for you!

  • Are you a meticulous person who packs very carefully, even when tired?  Are you concerned about how much your pack will weigh?  Do you have a good waterproofing system?  Then down may be the way to go for you!
  • Do you want to worry less about getting a few drops of water on your bag?  Does the thought of wet down terrify you?  Are you capable of carrying a heavier bag?  Are you working with a limited budget?  If this sounds like you, synthetic is for you!

Share The Weight

Depending on the group, there can be lots of opportunities to share the load. If there are 10 people on your hiking team, you really don’t need 10 of everything!
  • Everyone On A Trip Can Share
    • Kitchen items like stoves, pots & pans, and water filtration
    • Emergency communication device
    • Bear Spray (1 or 2 per group)
    • Group first aid kit
    • Tarp
    • Food
  • Trail Buddies Can Share
    • Tent
    • Sunscreen & bug spray
    • Personal first aid kits
    • Map & compass
    • Toothpaste
    • Snacks & treats

Pack For YOUR Body

Every body works differently, and we all run at different temperatures.  Here are some points to consider:

Are you a sweaty mess after even the most mild exertion? Or do you barely sweat a drop regardless of how hard you work?  Those of us who sweat more may want to pack an additional base layer or two, in order to have something dry to change into at camp.  If you don't sweat much you might be able to wear the same shirt for 7 days (don't worry we all stink at that point). If you sweat a lot, you’ll also want to look for more breathable jackets to let some of that moisture out. Items don’t dry out as easily on the West Coast Trail. Having designated “camp clothes” and “hiking clothes” will help ensure you always have something dry to put on when you get into camp.

Do you run hot or cold?  A person who runs warm and sleeps warm would do well to go with lighter jackets and sleeping bag, while a person who is generally cold is going to be better served to carry a bit more weight but actually get a good night’s sleep without freezing.  Pack enough insulation to stay warm; the energy you’ll lose to being cold is far more than you’ll spend carrying an extra jacket.

Do you tend to have foot problems?  Be sure your blister kit is well stocked and your boots are at that magic mid-point between broken in and worn out.

In general, pack your clothing system so that in the worst/coldest weather, you can put everything on and be comfortable.  In everything less than the worst, wear whatever combination makes the most sense.

"Bring nothing that has only one job!"

Luxury Items

It’s only natural to want a few luxuries, and unless you are trying to win the Ultralight Hiker of the Year award, you can allow yourself a few treats to make life in camp and on the trail more enjoyable.  The trick is to be careful about what you choose to bring, and be sure it’s worth the weight.

What’s a luxury?  Opinions vary, but here are some “nice to haves” that you might want to leave behind and alternatives that can used in their palce. Try not to bring items that only have one job. 

  • Pillow

    Most people with healthy necks can use a jacket tucked into its hood as a pillow or some clothes stuffed into your sleeping bag's compression sack

  • Swimsuit

    Do you need dedicated swimwear?  Or do you have some underwear that can serve the same function in a pinch? Jenna likes to recommend wear men's boxer briefs just for this reason

  • Book

    Can you download an ebook to your phone? Maybe bring a short paperback instead of War and Peace

  • Camp Chair

    There an infinite number of perfectly good logs to sit on.  If you're really attached to your chair a lighter weight option is a foam sit-upon. The sit-upon can also be used to help level out your sleeping pad if your camp spot isn’t totally level or a splint in an emergency situation. 

  • Playing Cards/Games

    Maybe bring one for the entire group, or think of games that don’t need materials (e.g. charades). One of Jenna's favourites is making a checkers board in the dirt and using twings and rocks as the pieces. 

  • Adult Beverages

    A small amount of port or spirits goes much further than six pack of beer!

  • Fresh Veggies

    These can be a real treat in the backcountry, just plan to eat them early in the trip so you aren’t carrying them too far

  • Bluetooth Speaker

    We ask that you please don't. It’s a hot topic, but we find most people are in the backcountry to take in the sounds of nature and prefer to keep it that way

One way to make sure luxuries don’t take over your bag is to put them ALL in a separate pile, and weigh it.  Sneaking these treats into your bag one at a time can be deceiving; putting them all together lets you know what you are getting yourself into.

We have found that the best luxury you can possibly pack for yourself is actually a light bag.  You will have more energy, have more fun, and your body will thank you!

How Much Is Too Much?

A reasonable weight for a West Coast Trail bag is around 30-45lbs, including all group gear.  Bigger people will typically be able to carry more weight, so it makes sense to distribute weight amongst the team according to carrying capacity.  An ideal target would be ~25% of your body weight, and be careful to not exceed 33% of your bodyweight.

Don't Be A Junk Show

Pack everything in your bag.  The only exceptions are bear spray, maybe the water bottle you drink from on the trail, and cooking fuel.  That’s it.  EVERYTHING else should go inside your bag.  Why?  Most importantly you want the weight as close to your spine as possible for you to comfortably carry your bag without injuring yourself.  Also, having stuff swinging off the back of your bag from a collection of carabiners pretty much ensures you will lose or wreck items when you put your bag on the ground or scrape against trees and rocks.  Doesn’t fit?  Get a bigger bag or pack less.  The standard bag for the West Coast Trail is 60L; if you can’t fit all your stuff in a 60L bag you need less stuff.

Very early on in Susan’s hiking career, she was a junk show (it happens to the best of us).  Her bag was so poorly balanced she had to lean against something when stopped, otherwise she would tip over backwards.  Learn from her mistakes, and get everything in your bag!

Weight Distribution

How you place the gear in your backpack will help keep your backpack comfortable.

From top to bottom you want to make a sandwich. Light stuff on the bottom, heavy stuff around your low/mid back, finishing with light stuff on the top.

From the back to the front it's best to put the heaviest items closest to your back. The further away from your back items get, the lighter they should be.

From side to side you want to try and balance the weight. The side to side balance is often overlooked and can cause more weight to sit on one shoulder strap rather than evenly over both. This is a common cause for neck pain or numbness in ones hand while hiking. If the weight is too high in your pack it will tip side to side as you walk along the trail. Similarly, if the weight is too far away from your back the backpack will feel like it's going to pull you backwards.

The sweet spot is having the weight concentrated against the small of your back. This way the pack will move with you and will feel apart of you. The more comfortable you are, the more fun you'll have!

photo from https://www.msrgear.com/blog/how-to-pack-a-backpack/

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